Andrew Ference (@FerKnuckle) tweeted this picture of himself at 10:15 a.m, officially announcing he was a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Safe to say he grew up an Oilers fan, and easily the best way to announce you've signed with a team.

The Oilers have also signed centre Boyd Gordon and goalie Jason LaBarbera.

Ference signed a four-year deal at $3.25 mill/season. That is one year longer than most expected, but that is usually the case in free agency. Teams either overpay in price or in term.

Gordon signed a three year deal, terms **edit** just announced at $3 million/season. Gordon is very good in the faceoff dot. He isn't flashy, but he's solid defensively and a huge upgrade over Eric Belanger.

LaBarbera got a one-year deal and he trains with Dubnyk, so they will get along well and push one another. LaBarbera is 33 years of age and his last four seasons he's had SV% of .923, .912, .909 and .928 in Phoenix. He's mainly a backup.

None of these are huge signings, but they are upgrades over the guys they replaced.

You need to improve every element of your team if you hope to become successful, so I'd say so far MacTavish has done a decent job. He still needs to find another centre, some size in this top-six and likely a big, strong physical D-man.

I received this text from an eastern conference player when I asked about Ference, "He will help them. He isn't naturally skilled, but has tremendous work ethic. Harder to play against than people think."

I suspect the Oilers next big moves will come via trade. With Ottawa losing Alfredsson to Detroit, they have a void at RW. The Ales Hemsky rumours to Ottawa will heat up. Also, Phoenix needs a RW with skill.

UPDATE...

The Oilers just signed free agent winger Jesse Joensuu. He is 6'4 and 225 pounds. He's played 67 NHL games with the Islanders and was the 60th pick in 2006 draft.

(3:00) The Oilers have signed Ryan Hamilton and Wil Acton to two-year contracts. Both played for Eakins with the Toronto Marlies last year. Team stats are here...

Andrew Ference will become the 10th player (I think) to play for the Oilers after suiting up for the Flames.

Also Lamb only played one game for Calgary before playing in Detroit for 22 and then in Edmonton, but he still did play for both teams.

**UPDATE...Michel Petit played 18 for the Oilers after playing for Flames. Jim Dowd played 75 games with Oilers after being in Calgary. Brian Glynn played 105 games.*** Keep them coming.

QUICK THOUGHTS ON OTHER DEALS...

Columbus gives Horton a 7-year deal, but he won't be able to play until December. Wow.

Typical Flames. They could have picked up Kris Russell on waivers, elected not to, and then traded a 5th round pick to St.Louis today to get him. That is a head scratcher.

Haven't heard much from the Kings or Blues. Both are interested in Iginla.

Doesn't sound like Ryan Jones will be coming back to Edmonton.

Shawn Horcoff will be on my show today at 4 p.m. to talk about his time in Edmonton.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Every move made today by the Oilers was predictable in it being the safe choice to make. There's nothing here that screams poor move or great move. I'll be shocked if MacT somehow pulls off a bold move. There is nothing in his past as a player or coach that suggests he is capable of it. I foresee a bottom 6 full of Toby Petersens and no changes on the top.

I'll happily eat my words if proven wrong, but things aren't shaping up to be much different this year from any of the past years.

I think it may be his howitzer from the point...check that, no, it's the intimidation factor/the numerous thundering bodychecks he throws on a nightly basis, check that, no, it HAS to be his pp point totals...

Oh I thought it might be he is one of the top players in the NHL for block shots.His competitive nature.The way he comes to play every night.His willingness to stand up for a teammate.Playing every night against the top players in the NHL.
His playing through pain and the respect his teammates have for him.Just ask his goalie what he thinks of Laddy.

Screams dime a dozen Walmart special to me. Who doesn't block shots on a team constantly in defend mode. The fact that Edmonton leads the lead in shot blocks/attempts masks the real issue here.

Bogus. He got 4.5 last year. Put up what 35 points in 45 games, I am not sure. Had a mediocre playoffs. Danny Alfredsson signed for 5.5 for one yer. Iginla might get 5 mil for a year or two. Clowe got 5 mil and scored hardly any goals. Clarkson robbed TO,.whats the worst thing he plays poorly, we trade for a second round pick. Jagr. a potential 55-60 point 15 minute a night Jagr can play on any teams top 6 in the league. He will get min 4 mil or I'll buy you a bottle of Spiced Rum.

I count six new people in our new lineup so far If you include Klefbom and Belov . That's seems to leave one more to go , perhaps 2 , which seemed to be the figure MacT. thought this process might bring . Hemsky should bring one more and hopefully more than Horcoff . If you count the 7th round draft choice I suppose you claim 7 already . Seems like we are just about done ?

And obviously haven't watched any of the playoffs the last two years although that term concerns me but by the time he is in his third and fourth years we should have a lot of vaue contract d coming up from our system playing a larger role than the cost of their salary.

Bogus. He got 4.5 last year. Put up what 35 points in 45 games, I am not sure. Had a mediocre playoffs. Danny Alfredsson signed for 5.5 for one yer. Iginla might get 5 mil for a year or two. Clowe got 5 mil and scored hardly any goals. Clarkson robbed TO,.whats the worst thing he plays poorly, we trade for a second round pick. Jagr. a potential 55-60 point 15 minute a night Jagr can play on any teams top 6 in the league. He will get min 4 mil or I'll buy you a bottle of Spiced Rum.

You say bogus, and then tell me he will get a min 4 mil? 4 still isn't 5.

The Alfredsson signing by years end will look like a bad deal. Iginla will get 4 on the high side. He could get more money elsewhere, but he wants to play for a winner, and a winner can't pay him 5.

I'm not saying I wouldn't like Jagr on my team. I just don't believe he will get more then 3 million a year.

The Oilers have agreed to terms with left wing Ryan Hamilton on a two-year deal.

Hamilton, 28, has played in 12 NHL games in his career with three assists and two penalty minutes. Last season, he had 56 games played, 30 goals and 48 points for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
Looks like Dallas is raiding the Marlies.

Go on, tell me how you feel MacT failed to make an EA Sports NHL all star team on the first day of free agency.

That was meant for Bill by the way.

It wasn't so much as today being an important day. I'd pin the lion share of the blame on the near 60 days of virtually no activity before this day. Teams not involved in the playoffs were capable of doing business all along.

Where's the drive, the ambition to build yourself a stronger hockey club/reputation when you pull up to work everyday? You'd think one of those management types would've had a worthwhile opportunity come their way.

Well in a must win game at home, you guys lost to our AHL team. Enough said, the Oilers are post apex. Enjoy 3 mill for Boyd Gordon, Burke was right when he said stupid moves are made on free agency day. Hope those 2 goals a year are wroth it, SCORE!

Well in a must win game at home, you guys lost to our AHL team. Enough said, the Oilers are post apex. Enjoy 3 mill for Boyd Gordon, Burke was right when he said stupid moves are made on free agency day. Hope those 2 goals a year are wroth it, SCORE!

Well in a must win game at home, you guys lost to our AHL team. Enough said, the Oilers are post apex. Enjoy 3 mill for Boyd Gordon, Burke was right when he said stupid moves are made on free agency day. Hope those 2 goals a year are wroth it, SCORE!

Based on what Calgary did today in trading for a 4th liner they could have had free off of waivers yesterday and signing a 4th back up goalie, I wouldn't be throwing stones!

I count six new people in our new lineup so far If you include Klefbom and Belov . That's seems to leave one more to go , perhaps 2 , which seemed to be the figure MacT. thought this process might bring . Hemsky should bring one more and hopefully more than Horcoff . If you count the 7th round draft choice I suppose you claim 7 already . Seems like we are just about done ?

I say we need 4., Need one top 6 winger, a third line 2 way winger, and 2 fourth liners. A top 4 dman would be. gravy too. It would move Smid to a 5.

the additions of Acton and Hamilton tell me that Eakins wants a couple of his guys with him going into next season. These 2 guys must have stood out and Eakins told MacT to go out and get them. Eakins must feel that they'll bring what this teams needs. I would not discount those 2 signing and by the end of training camp would not be surprised to see them both in the opening day lineup.

Am I the only one surprised that there are no takers on Brad Boyse..........big , strong, and decent hands.

We seemed to have signed every Tronto Marlie available..........not sure how thats going to help us? I do very much like the Ference signing but everyone else is a complete mystery to me?

RL... me thinks Akin looked at the depth on OKC, and taught to himself, god help us if there are injuries this year, there's not too much on the farm as far as forwards go....who would you call up.... Guys like Acton Hamilton would be on two way deals and could be emergency call ups ...
Hamilton played a few games with the Leafs last year. Whats happening with Paul Ranger?